Tri-State Elite Baseball League

Tri-State Elite Rules

7U Special Playing Rules

TSE and MLB rules apply. There are NO home team rules that override the playing rules.

Field Dimensions - 42’/60’

Baseball - We will play with a regular baseball.

Innings - Six inning games (or two hour time limit)

Bat Rule - Effective 2024

Any bat with BPF 1.15, USA or USSSA certification with the exception of those bats that are decertified. In addition, the following rules are also in place:

7U and 8U: Players may use 2 1/4" barrel that does not feature a USA or USSSA certification

Wood Bats: 1-piece solid wood bats are allowed and no certification is required.

Tampering with bats is strictly prohibited. If a bat is tampered with or an illegal bat is used, the result will be a dead ball out if a batted ball was put in play and the batter advanced to any base.

Offense

  • You must bat the entire lineup.
  • Three outs or maximum four runs per inning. No runs beyond four will be scored in any inning, except the last which a team may score a maximum of eight runs. The designated inning (last) inning must be determined by both coaches/umpire before a new inning can start. (In playoff and tournament play, it will only be the sixth inning).
  • Should a player become injured, sick, etc., an automatic out shall not be recorded, even if the batting order becomes less than nine players.
  • No head first sliding. The first time is a warning, the second time is an out.

Defense

  • Free defensive substitutions are allowed.
  • Infield fly rule is not in effect.
  • Four outfielders may be used. The outfielders should be positioned 15-20 in the outfield grass. An outfielder cannot be the player making a force out at any base.
  • When coach pitch, the pitcher must be even with rubber (at 42 feet) either to the left or right of the opposing coach pitching. The pitcher should not assume a position in the infield nor behind pitcher's mound, essentially as a fifth infielder.

Stealing

  • No stealing is permitted.
  • No advancement on passed balls or wild pitches.

Bunting

  • No bunting.
  • Fake bunting is prohibited.
  • If a batter fakes a bunt and pulls back and swings at the pitch, the batter will be called out.
  • Jiggling the bat around, offering to bunt and pulling back on every pitch will result in the batter being called out.

Coaches

  • Defense: One position coach will be permitted to position players prior to the pitch and instruct where to throw the ball once hit.
  • Offense - One each in the third and first base coach’s box, and one pitching. The coach pitching should not assume the role of a base coach and instruct the runners.

Runner

  • A runner may advance only one base on a ball hit that does not leave the infield (regardless if a recorded out or player reaching first base).
  • The batter may not advance on an overthrow for a ball that does not leave the infield. Each base runner is permitted to only advance to the base they were going to on an overthrow. (Example, runner on second and infield play to third base. Third base makes a wild throw. The runner on second is only entitled to third base). If a runner does attempt to advance beyond the one base, the play will be ruled dead and the runner must return to the previous base.
  • Runners may advance beyond the currently occupied or upcoming next base on a hit to the outfield, though not encouraged if the ball is timely controlled within the infield. However, if the runner continues to the next base the defense must make a play on that runner as the play will not be declared dead. If there is an overthrow on attempt to throw a runner out from the infield (after relayed from the outfield), the runner may not advance. If a runner does attempt to advance beyond the one base, the play will be ruled dead and the runner must return to the previous base.

Play Declared Dead

  • The defense stops the runner.
  • The lead runner stops (all following runners are considered stopped).
  • The runner does not make an effort to advance.
  • Once a runner turns back to his original base, he can not advance; however, lead runners may continue to the base they are headed for when a defensive play is being made.

Pitching – Player/Coach Pitch

  • One inning per game. A new Player for each player pitch inning.
  • Innings 1, 3 and 5 are player pitch. Innings 2, 4 and 6 are coach pitch.
  • Both the coach and pitcher will throw from 42 feet.
  • Player Pitch: The player pitches until the batter strikes out, “walks” or puts the ball in play. If the player “walks”, the coach will then pitch to the batter. At that time, there will be no pitch count. The batter will be entitled to three pitches to either make an out or put the ball in play. If on the third pitch or any subsequent pitches the batter hits a foul ball, the batter will get to continue to bat until an out or non contact pitch is made. A player takes first base on a hit by pitch from a player pitching.
  • Coach Pitch: The batter will receive six pitches. If the batter strikes out, an out is recorded. If the batter fails to put the ball in play after the sixth pitch, an out will be recorded. If on the sixth pitch or any subsequent pitches the batter hits a foul ball, the batter will get to continue to bat until an out or non contact pitch is made.
  • If a batted ball hits the coach (pitcher) it will be declared dead and result in no pitch/play.

Courtesy Runner

  • Speed up rule - Mandatory for the catcher (next inning) and optional for the pitcher at any point. The runner will be the last recorded out.